Stories from Friday, March 9, 2012

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Secret Service agents are in town early to ensure his safety. Forty extra tables have been set up in the newly decorated conference hall to accommodate the 700 or so attendees who will dine on chicken, beef or pasta before he makes his remarks. And the airport hangar where he will speak afterward is being readied for the hundreds expected to cheer his arrival...

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A team of culinary arts students from Sikeston Career and Technology Center recently sharpened their skills after finishing in the top 10 of a statewide competition. "To go into this competition is very much like a 'Top Chef' competition," said SCTC culinary arts instructor Kerrie Swain, comparing the high school event to timed culinary challenges similar to those featured on the Bravo reality show...

The City of Dexter will have representation on a newly formed committee designed to help the Missouri Department of Transportation explore future transportation needs and help to find solutions. In an announcement this week from Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives Steven Tilley, it was learned The Blue Ribbon Citizens Committee on Missouri's Transportation Needs panel has been created and will encompass citizens from around the state who will help examine current and future needs, as well as solutions having to do with transportation in the state.. ...

Kiley Parr-Allison, 33, of Chaffee and formerly of Oran, died at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center on March 5, 2012. She was born to Troy and Maxann Floyd Parr, Jr. on Sep. 28, 1978 in Sikeston, Mo. She was married to Chris Allison. Kiley worked at Heartland Moving Systems as an agent for Stevens Worldwide Van Lines in Cape Girardeau. She was of the Christian faith...

Elsie Burge of Puxico, Mo., was born on Sept. 23, 1915, and died March 5, 2012. Watkins and Sons Funeral Home of Puxico is in charge of all arrangements.